Group Says Pennsylvania Likely To Ban Abortion

January 08, 1992|by PETE LEFFLER, The Morning Call

Women of child-bearing age in Pennsylvania are among 14.6 million nationwide most likely to suffer if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe V. Wade, the 1973 decision making abortion a constitutional right.

The National Abortion Rights Action League, a pro-choice group headed by Gettysburg resident Kate Michelman, made that claim yesterday in a state-by-state analysis of the "post-Roe" United States.

"We now stand on a legal precipice," Michelman declared.

Pennsylvania ranked fourth among the 13 states deemed by NARAL as most likely to follow the court decision, if it were made, with legislation banning abortions. More than 2.7 million Pennsylvania women are between the ages of 15 and 45.

The high court could announce as early as Monday whether it will review challenges to Pennsylvania's existing anti-abortion law. The justices have scheduled the case for a private discussion among themselves on Friday.

If the court acts soon, arguments could be held in April and a decision rendered before the current session ends in June, Michelman said. If the court waits, arguments could be delayed until late summer or early fall and a decision could come next year.

Either way, both pro-life and pro-choice groups predict a weakening if not outright elimination of the rights granted by Roe.

"The case will be heard by this court," Michelman said. "It's just a matter of when. And if they uphold PA, Roe is gone."

Signed by Gov. Robert P. Casey in November 1989, Pennsylvania's law has not taken effect because it has been under court review.

In October, a federal appeals court signed off on all but one aspect of the law -- a requirement that a married women wanting an abortion first tell her husband. Appeals of that ruling set up the Supreme Court showdown.

Pennsylvania's law prohibits abortions only during the final three months of pregnancy, long after the vast majority are performed. Sex selection abortions are also banned.

Two provisions will affect all women seeking abortions. One mandates a 24-hour wait before an abortion is performed; the other requires doctors to inform patients of certain things prior to the procedure.

The NARAL study ranked all 50 states based on the abortion views expressed by their governors and state legislatures and on state laws already in place.